The Canadian government is investing a large sum in the Resettlement Assistance Program
According to Secretary of Immigration Sean Fraser, the innovations should help the adjustment of immigrants complicated by the pandemic.
Immigration, Citizenship and Refugee Canada (IRCC) is expanding its Resettlement Assistance Program. The program is designed to help refugees, but support services also help other immigrants, such as women with children and teenagers. Communities of immigrants form around these agencies and participate together in small-town community life and help each other.
Changes in Department of Immigration policy are aimed primarily at developing support services in small towns and rural areas. They provide mentoring for newcomers, English and French language instruction, computer courses, and help in finding jobs, permanent housing, and schools for children. Some support services have scholarship funds that enable immigrants to pursue higher education.
The total investment in the program is $35 million CAD. The $21 million CAD will expand the network of Service Provider Organizations (SPOs) from 32 to 41 organizations: nine new services will open in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and New Brunswick.
The department plans to invest $14 million CAD in 14 existing support services to help new immigrants more effectively and participate in a pilot project to promote francophone culture in Western Canada. This means that for the foreseeable future, French-speaking people can expect not only extra points in immigration programs, but also free help with everyday issues: for example, counselling for health care difficulties.
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